42 msfocusmagazine.org This April, MS Focus participated in a nationwide effort to call attention to a debilitating, yet little-discussed symptom that affects people with many different conditions: spasticity. Working together with a national alliance of nonprofit organizations, MS Focus is raising awareness of this difficult and often painful symptom – and the treatments that can bring relief to those who have it. Spasticity affects nearly 80 percent of people with MS. Sometimes described as stiffness or a muscle spasm, this symptom is typically caused by opposing muscles contracting at the same time. It may cause the affected body part to feel stiff, painful, or difficult to move. The treatments for spasticity range from medications to physical therapy, with some cases requiring surgical interventions. However, the right treatment can sometimes be difficult to find. To answer questions about spasticity and its treatments, MS Focus hosted two events for the MS community. The first was a live program with Dr. Claude Oster, a neuro- rehabilitation expert from St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. His full presentation is available to view through our YouTube channel. We also aired a national teleconference featuring MS Focus’ senior medical advisor, BenW. Thrower, MD.You can catch a replay of Dr. Thrower’s presentation on MSFocusRadio.org or listen on-demand from the site. About the Spasticity Alliance: In order to build a community of support for those whose lives are affected by spasticity, several patient advocacy organizations have come together to form the SpasticityAlliance. Together, the Spasticity Alliance aims to raise awareness about spasticity, empower people living with spasticity, and serve as a resource hub for information about spasticity, condition management, and treatment. Learn more at: www.spasticityalliance.org. Alliance Brings Spasticity to Light Spasticity Awareness Week April 17 – 21, 2017 MS Focus Activities